Locke’s words were by no means random shots. Once convinced that Ackerman represented some person or persons inimical to Kent and Crooks, he sought for a clue. One by one he went over Ackerman’s business associates, including Garwood, and discarded them one by one. Then came the rumour of Garwood’s acquisition of the Peninsular, an acquisition almost coincident with the rise in rates. Therefore, Locke argued, Garwood somehow benefited by it. But how? The railway man was not known to be interested in lumber. Still, as Locke saw it, he must be.
“Here,” said Locke to himself, “is this Central Lumber Company officered by dummies, capitalized for a mere trifle, and yet acquiring business after business. Why the secrecy? Who is behind it? Obviously some man or men who don’t wish their identity known until they have accomplished a certain purpose. What is the purpose? So far it seems to be the buying out of existing lumber concerns. Ackerman approached Kent. For whom? Probably for this Central Lumber Company. Therefore Ackerman is one of those behind it. Ackerman’s influence has been unfriendly to Kent in every way. Garwood no sooner acquired control of Peninsular stock than the rate on lumber was boosted. Ackerman is associated with him. Therefore it is not a wild hypothesis to say that Garwood is financing the Central Lumber Company.”
Thus Locke argued to himself, and he found fresh confirmation in the methods adopted toward Kent, which were typically those of Hugh Garwood. Then, too, Mr. Ackerman’s evident discomposure when directly charged with association with him in a lumber business was suspicious.
He arrived at these conclusions quite independently and mentioned them to no one. His surprise, therefore, was great when Joe Kent, dropping in one morning, asked what he knew about Hugh Garwood.
“Did it ever strike you,” Joe asked, “that he may be the man behind?”
“It did,” Locke answered, “but tell me how it happened to strike you.”
“Well—it just occurred to me,” replied Joe, embarrassed.
“Give up, give up,” said the lawyer impatiently. “Don’t hold out on your doctor, your banker, or your lawyer.”
Thereupon Joe, under pledge of secrecy, outlined the conjunction of events. It was a slight thing, but another corroboratory circumstance. Suppressing Joe’s part, Locke mentioned his suspicions to Crooks.
“I’ll bet a thousand you’re right,” said the old lumberman thoughtfully. “Garwood, hey? He’s the last man I’d have suspected. And usually the last man you suspect is the first man you ought to. It’s just like him to cut a man’s throat and then pick his pocket. Why, damn him”—Bill Crooks’ voice rose in indignation—“his girl visited my girl for a month last summer. You know that, Joe; you used to trot around with her.”